WEDNESDAY DUB/SJ ROUND-UP

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – Taylor Gauthier made 29 saves to help the Portland Winterhawks preserve a 2-1 victory over the Prince George Cougars and complete the 4-0 sweep in their WHL first-round playoff series Wednesday.

James Stefan and Luke Schelter scored Portland’s goals in the series-clinching victory.

Tyler Brennan stopped 40 shots for the Cougars in defeat.

Stefan and Schelter both scored in the first period before Jonny Hooker responded for Prince George at the 6:55 mark of the second period to make the game 2-1.

That would be it for scoring, however as both goalies shut the door from there on out.

Next up for the Winterhawks will be the winner between the Kamloops Blazers and Spokane Chiefs series in the second round. The Blazers lead that series 3-0.

In other WHL playoff action Wednesday, the Kelowna Rockets beat the Seattle Thunderbirds 3-2 in overtime to avoid a sweep, the Saskatoon Blades avoided elimination in their series with the Moose Jaw Warriors with a 5-3 win as their series also stands at 3-1, the Brandon Wheat Kings beat the Red Deer Rebels 3-1 to even up their series at 2-2, the Prince Albert Raiders downed the Winnipeg Ice 3-1 to avoid a sweep and the Everett Silvertips took a 2-1 series lead over the Vancouver Giants with a 6-2 thrashing.

FLIN FLON – After dropping the first two games of the SJHL Championship series in Estevan, the Flin Flon Bombers held serve on home ice, following up Tuesday’s 4-3 win with a convincing 7-1 decision in Game 4 on Wednesday, tying the Best-of-Seven series up at 2-2.

Jaeden Mercier scored twice and added an assist to lead Flin Flon to the Game 4 win, while captain Zak Smith added a goal and two helpers.  Drew Kuzma (1g-1a), Jaxon Martens, Ethan Anstey and Jacob Vockler rounded out the scoring for the Bombers, who went 2/6 on the powerplay.  Cal Schell picked up the win making 23/24 saves.

Eric Pearce added a powerplay goal for the Bruins and Boston Bilous made 26/31 saves in just over 48 minutes of work.

The Bombers will still have a find a way to win at least once in Estevan in order to hoist the SJHL Championship trophy, while the Bruins would be just fine keeping it a homer series.  Game 5 goes Saturday in Estevan, with Game 6 now set in stone for Tuesday, May 3rd back in Flin Flon.  If necessary a seventh and deciding game was go Friday, May 6th in Estevan.

(CP/SJHL.ca)